I'm biracial(German*white* & black) and my hair is EXTREMELY curly. When I was little, my hair was down to the middle of my back, but kids were so mean...so I got a relaxer, and the lady burned off all my hair, so I had to cut it, and that made it worse, so of course the kids were even more mean. In middle school, around 7th grade, I started flat ironing my hair pretty much every day. I'm in 9th grade now. My hair is extremely damaged and breaking off. It's dry, hard, stiff, dull, and my hair used to be blonde, now it's mousy brown. How can I reverse this damage without having to chop off all my hair? It just started growing back, I don't really wanna cut it.
Also, my hair has been layered, so it's really poofy when it's curly, so how can I make it less poofy? And softer, silkier, and healthier? I'm soooo sick of people coming up and asking my "why don't you have white girl hair?....its so ugly!!!!!!!" GRRRR!!!!!!!!!

To me your hair doesn't look so bad - You will get tons of suggestions on this website - some of them might be the following.

Try a Deep Treatment - there are lots of them out there - and some home-made so check that out.

I also find that because our hair is curly and dry it needs moisture all the time. Give co-washing a good try - I know at first it sounds funny, but have been shampoo free (except for when I go to the hairdresser) for about 8 months. I use tons of products that will supply conditioners and retain moisture.

A lot of these curlies use - silacone free products; some use magnesium sulfate free; others glycerin free. It is truly a trial and error system.

I used to have a volume problem too, but the CG method has really toned it down and turned my ball of frizz into curls. You should consider looking into it and trying it out. It wouldn't hurt...if anything it should make your hair more moisturized and less likely to break!

I wanted to add that the change in the color of your hair probably has more to do with you growing up than anything you've done to it.

It's very common for people to have one hair color when they're younger and then for it to change as they get older. I used to have white-blond hair when I was younger, and by the time I was your age, it was a mousy blond/brown color. It's probably even darker now, but I color mine so much I don't even KNOW what my natural color is anymore!

a few months ago i posted a similiar question. i had very damaged hair from 2 relaxers one right after the other. my hair was breaking off, dry , and just a mess. many thought i should just chopit off, and at that point i was agreeing. but someone(i cant remember who said to go to sallys(or online) and get the aphogee protien treatment. it is the one that hardens when dry. after 2 treatments my hair was so much better.now i have hardly no damage left,although i have been getting an inch cut every month to get rid of the relaxer.its worth a try. its cheap too. i also use their spray keriton treatment after every washing. sam

Your hair is very definitely NOT ugly. You are very pretty - try to ignore people who make nasty remarks to you because they are not worth your time. I know it's easier said than done, and a lot of us have been through it too!

I had a lot of damage from straightening and didn't want to chop my hair off either. I started to work at repairing it, and although it's taking time, it's made a big difference so far. I do weekly deep treatments and leave them in overnight, but when I started I put stuff on my ends most nights too. I tried coconut oil, jojoba oil and things with shea butter, but only found any of them to be effective if I put them on damp hair. Otherwise they just sat there all night.

I use the CG method, slightly modified, and that's also made a big difference. Like others have said, I'd give that a go and see how you get on with it.

I wouldn't worry about the colour for now, but concentrate on getting your hair back into good condition. I was blonde as a child, but darkened as I got older.

Your hair is very definitely NOT ugly. You are very pretty - try to ignore people who make nasty remarks to you because they are not worth your time. I know it's easier said than done, and a lot of us have been through it too!

Originally Posted by Chrysovyi

I agree with Crysovyi! I was teased over my hair when I was younger too. It was hard, but I tried to ignore it and show that I wasn't effected by their comments. As a result, they teased me less often because they weren't getting a reaction out of me anymore.